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April 26, 2022
Dave Wilson
ESPN Staff Writer
On a day he was celebrated by the
Oklahoma Legislature, former Sooners coach
Bob Stoops gave a campaign-like speech reassuring fans after the departure of
coach Lincoln Riley.
"Lincoln Riley didn't invent OU
football," Bob Stoops said while being honored Tuesday with a resolution celebrating
"a career of service to the Oklahoma community and success with the OU
Football program."
Stoops served as head coach at
Oklahoma for 18 years before handing the keys to his offensive coordinator,
Riley, who left Norman after five seasons for USC. Riley has been
replaced by another former Stoops assistant
in Brent Venables.
"Brent was a major part of
[Oklahoma's undefeated 2000 season]," Stoops said. "He was with us 13
years and then went 10 years to Clemson where they've had as big a resurgence
-- not resurgence they've come from nowhere -- to be one of the premier teams
in the country. He's got all the experience in the world. I don't need to tell
you about his passion and energy. It oozes all over the place and infects
everybody."
Stoops gave credit to Bud Wilkinson, who arrived in 1947, for
laying the foundation for one of the most storied programs in college football.
"Bud Wilkinson created the monster that Coach [Barry]
Switzer always referred to and I had to deal with it for 18 years," Stoops
said. "And it's a monster. But I loved it. I am the fortunate one to have
been able to be at Oklahoma for all these years -- 18 as the head coach -- and
fortunately they've kept me on here for a while so that I could step in in moments
like that. Hopefully we don't have any more."
Stoops stepped in in
the immediate aftermath of Riley's resignation, coaching the Sooners to a 47-32
win over Oregon in the Valero Alamo Bowl. Stoops' emergency coaching job was
one of the many things he was recognized for Tuesday.
He said it wasn't hard to be drawn
back to the sideline, particularly because he got the call from athletic director
Joe Castiglione and president Joe Harroz while he was on the golf course.
"I've been given way too much
credit for it," Stoops said. "I wasn't golfing all that well that
day, so it was easy to leave the course."
He said he immediately set out to steady
the emotions of the shocked Sooners.
"My first mission was to remind
everybody -- players, community, everybody at the university -- Lincoln Riley
didn't invent OU football, OK?" Stoops said, to an audible agreement from
a few legislators. "Everyone needed a wake-up call because they kind of
slipped into thinking he did."
“I promise you we are in
great, great hands and I look forward to the future in a really positive way,”
Bob Stoops said. Kevin Jairaj/USA Today Sports
Tuesday's resolution
honored Stoops for his coaching career including being the only coach in the
BCS era to win the Fiesta, Orange, Rose and Sugar Bowls plus the national
championship. He coached the Sooners to more wins than any other Power 5
program during his 18-year tenure. It cited his 101-9 record at home, the 37
All-America players and 79 draft picks he coached, including two Heisman Trophy
winners.
Stoops was also commended for his charity work and his work with
patients at children's hospitals "immersing them in the Sooner football
experience."
Stoops, with Harroz standing beside him and the OU spirit squad
and mascot Boomer in attendance for OU Day in the legislature, also used the
opportunity to do a little politicking of his own, making his case for further
funding for the university.
"Please keep sending it our way in positive ways, if you
would," he said.
He wrapped up his speech with more reassurance toward the future
of the football program.
"I promise you we are in great, great hands and I look
forward to the future in a really positive way," he said. "Love the
state of Oklahoma. Boomer," he said, as House members replied,
"Sooner!"
